This specialised training helps organisations and professionals understand how, when and why to share confidential information lawfully under Victoria’s Child Information Sharing Scheme (CISS) and Family Violence Information Sharing Scheme (FVISS).
Designed for Information Sharing Entities (ISEs), this course provides clear, practical guidance on meeting your legal obligations while protecting privacy, confidentiality and safety.
Participants will explore how both schemes interact with the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework, and how to apply the principles of safe and responsible information sharing in daily practice.
What You Will Learn
By the end of this session, participants will understand:
- The scope, purpose and interaction of CISS and FVISS
- Who qualifies as an Information Sharing Entity (ISE) and what that means in practice
- How to lawfully request, receive and proactively share information
- The difference between consent-based and non-consensual sharing, particularly where children are involved
- How to determine what is “relevant” or “reasonable” to share under the schemes
- The role of Risk Assessment Entities (RAEs) and coordination with other agencies
- How to avoid common privacy and confidentiality breaches
- Steps to align policies, training and stakeholder communication with legislative reforms
Who Should Attend
This training is suitable for all professionals and organisations considered ISEs under Victorian law, including:
- Schools and early childhood services
- Health services, maternal and child health professionals
- Faith-based organisations and out-of-home care providers
- Family violence services and community-based agencies
- Local councils, youth and family support providers
- Policy officers, privacy advisors and safeguarding personnel
- Designated Information Sharing staff and executive leadership
Why Choose This Training
- Developed by experts in child safeguarding and risk governance
- Clarifies when staff must, can or should not share information
- Includes real-world examples of lawful vs unlawful disclosure
- Supports organisational readiness and compliance under Victorian law
- Builds staff confidence in applying information sharing principles ethically and consistently
- Strengthens community trust through transparent and safe information practices
